Byzantine,
Gothic andNorthern Renaissance
artists
represented Christian
culture and values.
Depictions of hell,
Satan and rampaging
demons reached a fever
pitch after the great
plague of the mid
14th century. Satan and
his evil minions were
often included as a sort
of cautionary tale for
illiterate church goers.
Hildegard of Bingens,
a medieval mystic and writer stated "The devil keeps man from good
with a thousand
machinations spewed from
his belly, so that when
a person sighs to do
good, he pierces him
with his shafts; and
when he desires to
embrace God with his
whole heart in love, he
subjects him to
poisonous tribulations,
seeking to pervert good
work before God. And
when a person seeks the
viridity of virtue, the
devil tells him that he
does not know what he is
doing, and he teaches
him that he can set his
own law for himself." Spiritually significant paintings
created during the
Gothic and Renaissance
eras are complex,
fraught with religious
fervor and symbolism.
William H. Hunt stated
"When language was not
transcendental enough to
complete the meaning of
a revelation, symbols
were relied upon for
heavenly teaching, and
familiar images, chosen
from the known, were
made to mirror the
unknown spiritual
truth."

In a culture of
limited literacy
symbolic imagery was
vital in enlightening
the masses. Byzantine, Gothic and
Early Renaissance
paintings are rich in
philosophical and
Christian symbolism
regarding serpents.

The Dragon
-
the emblem of heathen
evil and Satan, the
spiritual enemy of
mankind. Saint Michael
and Saint George are
often depicted battling
and slaying
the
dragon symbolizing
their triumph over evil.

Snake
in a fruit tree -
signifies the mans fall
from grace as well as
Satan's meddling in the
affairs of men.

A
snake brazenly
slithering across the
middle of a thoroughfare
or road -
symbolizing the False
Prophet leading the way
to hell.

A
devious serpent peeking
out of a basket, urn or
pot - a spiritual
reminder of Satan's
presence in unusual
places.

The
Color Red - a symbol
of greediness and lust.
Denotes sin; sins of
mankind, Satan, original
sin; temptation, Judas,
Harrowing of Hell, The
Fiery Furnace, Slaughter
of the Innocents, the
Apocalypse .

Goat
- symbol of the Devil.
Satan is often depicted
as a horned and hoofed
goat-like creature.

Wasp
- symbol of the Devil
or his henchmen.
Satan is often depicted
as a devilish winged
creature. The wasp or
yellow jacket is
symbolic of Satan's
relentless hunt for
easily corrupted souls
and backsliders.

A fluttering blue of
white curtain-
symbolizes a heavenly
world in which the
splendor of the holy and
divine is only beginning
to be shown.

An unsheathed knife
near a money purse or
pile of coins-
denotes a rebellious and
materialistic viewpoint.

A burned out candle - symbolizes a lack of
devoutness and piety.

A white or blue pitcher
and basin - is
a symbol of Purity,
signifying clean
thoughts and an
uncorrupted essence.
The pitcher and basin
are also symbolic of
forgiveness of sins,
cleansing,
sanctification, unity
with God, eternal life,
glory, theosis.

A spilled or
overturned inkwell-
symbolizes broken
promises,
broken political
treatise,
missed chances.
If the spilled inkwell
is on the desk of a
Saint then this
symbolizes martyrdom;
divine sufferers who
spilled their blood in
Gods name.

Lute - a musical
instrument symbolic of
romantic love.

References

A list of painters who
often depicted the devil
and the tortures of
hell.

If you feel you have worthwhile information you would like to
contribute we would love to hear from you. We collect essential
biographical information and artist quotes from folks all over
the globe and appreciate your participation. When submitting
please, if possible, site the source and provide English
translation. Email tomillardmulch@gmail.com